McAreavey trial judge thanks jurors after delay
The judge in the trial of two men accused of murdering honeymooner Michaela McAreavey has thanked jurors for their patience after proceedings were hit by another delay.
No evidence was heard on what was the 27th day of a case originally listed to last nine.
Former hotel workers Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea deny murdering the daughter of Tyrone gaelic football boss Mickey Harte while she holidayed with her husband John in Mauritius.
The trial at the island’s Supreme Court in Port Louis was due to resume this morning with Treebhoowoon taking to the witness stand for a fourth day to testify in his own defence.
The day was instead taken up with a bid by lawyers and judge Mr Justice Prithviraj Fecknah to resolve an outstanding legal issue.
Shortly before 3pm, the judge called the jury back in to say the matter had been dealt with and proceedings would restart on Monday.
“Members of the jury I have to inform you that since this morning we have not called you in court because we had to deal with a matter of law,” he said.
“That matter has now been sorted out and we will resume on Monday morning.
“I thank you very much for your patience.”
The case has now lasted six weeks with the defence case for Moneea still to be heard.
Co Tyrone teacher Mrs McAreavey, 27, was found strangled in her room in the luxury Legends Hotel on the island last January.
The prosecution claims Treebhoowoon and Moneea attacked her when she interrupted them stealing.
